Author Description

The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) regularly evaluates the experience of international students in Canada through a benchmarking survey. Canada First 2009 represents the fourth time CBIE has conducted this research. Previous editions appeared in 1988, 1999 and 2004. This year's survey used a revised questionnaire similar to those utilized previously. In 2009, 5,925 international students from 22 universities and 4 colleges across Canada participated in the survey. A number of key findings emerged from the report including: (1) Nine out of 10 students who saw advertising about studying in Canada say it influenced their decision to choose Canada; (2) Although almost all students reported using the internet as a source of information on study in Canada, more students in 2009 than in 2004 reported that a professor, teacher, or instructor in their home country was also a key source; (3) Tuition fees are on the rise, which may suggest why fewer students from lower income families are choosing Canada; and (4) Canada was the first choice destination for just over 50% of international students studying here, but this has fallen from a high of nearly 60% in 1999. The survey/questionnaire used in the study is appended.